vincentian spirituality

Never Alone (John 11:1-45)

by Tom McKenna, CM | March 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment

One of the heaviest of feelings is the one of being alone. You hear it in the cry of an infant, and more generally you catch it in the forlorn look of any lonely person.

Seeing What’s There (John 9:39)

by Tom McKenna, CM | March 8, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 6 Comments

How many times have you heard people use the phrase, “I finally woke up?”

Struggles at a Well (John 4:5-42)

by Tom McKenna, CM | February 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

Some of the traits which come out in the Samaritan woman as she interacts with Jesus at the noonday well could paint her as a hard-hearted and difficult lady.

Higher (Matthew 5:38-48)

by Tom McKenna, CM | February 8, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

There’s a phrase from the sports world, “setting a high bar.” It means raising the height of the jump just beyond the mark the athlete think he can clear.

Receiving Me (2 Kings,4; Mt 10:40)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 12, 2023 | Formation, Reflections

Two agitated men, just coming from a disastrous happening, were walking down a country road and pouring out their shared troubles. Each was focused on his own grief, but each was also was taking in the pain of the other.

Hearing God’s Love (Matthew 10:26-33)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 28, 2023 | Formation, Reflections

We readily readily recognize the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the symbol of his great love for us. But as we know from the experience of many, this message given is often enough a message not received.

Naming God (Exodus 34: 8-9; John 3:16)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 14, 2023 | Formation, Reflections

Two people are in a conversation, asking how they feel about each other. After much back and forth, one says to the other, “How would you name that feeling?”

Setting Out (Acts 9:1-20)

by Tom McKenna, CM | May 5, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

As far as beginnings go, we’d have to look far and wide to find something more dramatic than the one portrayed in chapter 9 of the Acts of the Apostles: Paul knocked over and blinded on that Damascus road.

“First Generation Disciples”(John 10: 14-15)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Apr 21, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

“Handing on the tradition” is a phrase often connected with matters of faith.

Living “As If”(Acts 4: Jn 20)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Apr 7, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

Where are the assurances that these claims about Jesus rising to new life have any substance?

We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe

by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

All of us have heard the phrase, “living in the past.” Usually it has a negative ring – – somebody missing out on the good things happening now because he or she lives on memories of a bygone day.

Entering “The New Temple” (Jn 2:13-25)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

“Dense” is a one-word description for people who have trouble seeing beneath the surface of things.

Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (1 Cor: 10:31)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

How is that the glory of God supplies motivation, gives the impetus for getting up and doing something?

In Praise of Complaining! (Job 7:17; Mk 1: 29-31)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

Job has the well-deserved reputation as a complainer. Throwing up his hands, he whines to God, “How long is this misery going to lasts, this drudgery, these troubled nights.” (Job 7:1-7)